12 October 2015 · Delegated
Part Field 531216 Woodland Heights, Ashley Road, Onchan, Isle Of Man, IM3 3hn
The application sought permission to build a stable block on part of Field 531216, a dog-leg-shaped parcel of countryside land on the edge of Onchan, with residential development to the west and woodland to the east. The site falls within countryside for planning purposes, so the proposal was assessed against Strategic Plan policies on countryside protection and equestrian development. The key tests under Environment Policy 19 were whether the development would cause loss of local amenity, harm to high-quality agricultural land, or unacceptable highway impacts. The site is not within an area of High Landscape or Coastal Value, so the presumption against large-scale equestrian development under Environment Policy 20 did not apply with particular force. Onchan Commissioners also recommended approval.
On that basis, the officer recommended and the delegated decision granted permission, subject to three conditions.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
The stables shall be for private use only and not for any commercial or private livery use.
Condition 3
All landscaping works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. The works shall be carried out prior to the coming into use of the stables hereby approved. Any trees or plants indicated on the approved scheme that, within a period of five years from the date of planting, die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced during the next planting season with other trees or plants of a species and size to be first approved in writing by the Department.